Select Local Merchants

Since opening in 1975, Haight-Brown Vineyard has churned out 2,000 cases of grape-based libations each year from its nearly 10-acre vineyard and welcomed visitors into its rustic, cottage-like wine house. Emphasizing vinifera and French hybrid grapes, the state’s first-established winery creates a selection of wines that include the Big Red, a bold syrah; the Morning Harvest, a rich malbec; and Honey Nut Apple, a traditional apple wine that incorporates local honey and cinnamon. Vintners share their time-tested expertise during regular classes that teach aspiring oenophiles about a variety of vintages and techniques for cheese and chocolate pairing. Amid the tasting room’s wood accents and crackling stone fireplace, customers sample vintages and attempt to describe taste sensations with adjectives such as “silky” or “very different from milk.”

Can you detect the amazing flavorful notes at Hogans Cider Mill's winery in Burlington?
While you're enjoying this course, be sure to check out their amazing restaurant for a tasty meal.
Bring the whole clan to this course — kids and parents will love the ambience here.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Take a table at Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery in Hinsdale and look forward to your next meal.
Parents appreciate Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery's kid-friendly attitude, and little ones are often seen dining out with the adults.
Bring your laptop here and tap into the complimentary wifi.
On warmer days, take advantage of Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery's outdoor seating.
Feeling a little shy? Carryout is available.
Driving to Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery? Check out the nearby parking selections and park with ease.
Commute by bike to Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery and find easy bike parking.
At Whetstone Station Restaurant And Brewery, you can pay with any major credit card.

When you're preparing a special meal, you'll want to buy special meat. That's why the fine cut and prepared meats at North End Butchers are perfect for any occasion in Brattleboro.
For breads, cookies, cakes, and pies that will blow your mind, are couple extra sweet ingredients are kitchen must-haves.
Whether you cook it or eat it raw, the produce from North End Butchers will be tasty no matter what.
Looking for tender and juicy meats? Here you can find delicious cuts of meat all year long.
Parking is available at an adjacent lot.
So swing by North End Butchers in Brattleboro for meat that has freshness, flavor, and an overall higher quality than any alternative.

As the sun rises and falls on the Connecticut River Valley, its rays streak across the trellised vineyards of Arrigoni Winery. The winery creates a variety of crisp whites and luscious reds, both characterized by their soft, approachable fruit flavors. In addition to these traditional offerings, the vintner also makes wines blended from orchard-fresh apples, tart cranberries, and even maple syrup. After enjoying a glass of wine on the scenic outdoor patio, visitors are encouraged to peruse the onsite gift shop’s collection of Yankee Candles, wine-themed presents, and baby photos of budding grape clusters.

Nashoba Valley Winery serves American-style cuisine in the middle of Bolton's Bolton district.
Plan to indulge a bit at Nashoba Valley Winery, though, because they don't offer any low-fat fare.
Nashoba Valley Winery is a suitable restaurant for both large and small groups.
Reservations are offered, so call ahead to lock down your table.
No need to be formal, business casual will pass.
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Nashoba Valley Winery is a little bit on the pricey side, so save it for a special night out.
Chow down on breakfast, lunch, or dinner fare at Nashoba Valley Winery — they're open for all three meals.

Groupon Guide

White whiskey may seem like like a newer trend to liquor and cocktail enthusiasts, but it's actually been around for a long time. In years past, it was called white lightning. Others dubbed it grandpa’s medicine. Everyone else knew it as moonshine.
Whatever the name, white whiskey is having a moment. Essentially, the trendy spirit is just unaged whiskey (or moonshine), and across the country business is booming.
To explain white whiskey’s rise, you can look to three factors: the producers, the retailers, and the innovation. White-whiskey production has been sparked by small distillers like Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, whose century-old recipe has fueled steady growth since the operation opened in 2010. At the retail level, the placement of white whiskey in big-box stores like Walmart has brought the product to a broader audience. And, finally, part of the appeal to that audience is thanks to white whiskey’s innovation and experimentation, namely through flavored varieties like peach, cherry, and apple pie. Flavored white whiskeys differ from traditional moonshine in two notable ways. For one, moonshine purists might argue that if you're paying taxes on it, it's not actually moonshine at all, just white whiskey. But whether you call it white whiskey or moonshine, the traditional clear spirit is infamous for its potency, typically clocking in at about 100 to 125 proof for a slight burn on the tongue.
Flavored white whiskeys, on the other hand, offer a more diverse and diluted taste, like Ole Smoky’s 40-proof watermelon or apple-pie moonshines. And you can also find white whiskey in craft cocktails, like at Lillie’s Q in Chicago, where the bartenders pour the Catdaddy, which mixes Catdaddy Moonshine with either cream soda or root beer.Making and drinking moonshine dates back to the pioneers. Distilling has been going on at the Kentucky River since 1773, according to Amy Preske, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s public relations and events manager. Buffalo Trace honors that tradition today with its White Dog Mash #1. “White dog, the raw distillate that comes off the still, is the first step in the distilling process,” Preske said. “The basic idea of distilling hasn’t changed, even though we’ve added more sophisticated technology. So in this way, we’re honoring our tradition. There’s a saying that ‘anything old is new again,’ and I guess that holds true for moonshine, too. Before the early settlers found out the benefits of aging bourbon, everyone drank [white whiskey].”So don’t feel bad if you prefer white whiskey flavored, or in a cocktail, instead of the old-fashioned way. “We always recommend for people to drink it any way they like!” Preske said.Below, we’ve rounded up five kinds of white whiskey worthy of the pioneers and the moonshine purists. Raise your Mason jars: Buffalo Trace Distillery’s White Dog Mash #1 | Frankfort, KYBefore there was bourbon, there was White Dog. Made on the spot where buffalo once crossed the Kentucky River, White Dog is a clear, unaged raw distillate with hints of corn and sweet vanilla aromas to pair with its slight burn.Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery’s Original Moonshine | Gatlinburg, TNMade from corn grown by local farmers in East Tennessee, Ole Smoky’s original moonshine is the real deal. The century-old recipe is 80% corn, 20% secret for that distinct Tennessee moonshine flavor.Platte Valley Corn Whiskey | Weston, MOThis small-batch, 100% straight corn whiskey follows a 150-year-old tradition of authentic American moonshine. No Mason jars here: Platte Valley comes in handcrafted ceramic jugs with a cork stopper.Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey | Nashville, TN“Pure and smooth as an Appalachian mountain stream,” Popcorn Sutton’s clocks in at 88 proof and follows its creator’s original recipe. Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was a legendary Tennessee moonshiner who made his “likker” by hand using an old family recipe and sold it out of his Ford Model A truck. Belmont Farm Distillery’s Virginia Lightning | Culpeper, VA Made with a secret family recipe using corn grown on the family farm, Virginia Lightning is twice-distilled under the supervision of distiller Chuck Miller. Each batch of moonshine clocks in at 100 proof. Or try the flavored variety, available in apple pie or cherry and made with real cherries and juice. At 50 proof, these go down a little smoother than the original.Check out related reads:10 American Craft Distillers Redefining Whiskey
Expert Dave Broom discusses 10 American craft distillers pushing the boundaries, including some who are distilling with unusual cereal grains, like spelt and quinoa.The Makings of a Great Corner BarIt’s not just about walking distance—there should be plenty of windows, too.

Themed bars have been around since at least as far back as the 19th century, when establishments lured patrons with crazy gimmicks, drink specials, and just about anything else that might separate them from the pack. In fact, at one time in New York, some bars discarded their glasses in favor of barrels of booze connected to rubber tubes. For a few cents, customers were allowed to drink as much as they could until they had to take a breath. Such extreme measures might not fly today, but some places still walk a fine line between being a bar and being something completely different altogether. Across the country, some bars’ adopted themes have evolved into their own unforgettable experiences, as much a reason for visiting as the taps and bottles behind the oak. Below are nine of the best themed bars—places where a guy can walk into a bar and find himself somewhere else entirely.
Wilson & Wilson Private Detective Agency | San Francisco, CAA Speakeasy Within a SpeakeasyHidden behind a door within San Francisco’s famous Bourbon & Branch, Wilson & Wilson operates under the guise of a PI firm, complete with frosted-glass windows. Inside, 1920s-era wallpaper, old-school cash registers, and cocktail menus that resemble case files swirl together to create an experience plucked straight from Prohibition.Lala’s | Austin, TXChristmas in July—and Every Other MonthIt’s always the most wonderful time of the year at Lala’s, where Christmas hasn’t ended since 1972. That year, owner Francis Lala decided the bar looked too bare without decorations, so she left them up. Not much has changed since: colorful string lights still dangle from the ceiling and elves dance above the bar, imbuing the otherwise dim space with everlasting yuletide charm.Gotham City Lounge | Brooklyn, NYThe Dynamic Duo's Dive of ChoiceJust about every inch of wall space at Gotham City Lounge is covered in superhero memorabilia, including action figures, posters, and enough comic-book panels to adapt War and Peace as a graphic novel. Burrowed beneath Bushwick’s elevated M tracks, the bar is a bit cozy, but it packs a mighty punch—especially with its wallet-friendly shot-and-beer specials.Donny Dirk’s Zombie Den | Minneapolis, MNRefuge from the Zombie ApocalypseWhen the rest of the world is overrun by flesh-eating zombies, Donny Dirk’s will still be slinging its zombie poison-infused liquors and immunization shots. Mounted zombie heads hang from the walls, emergency weapons are planted all around, and horror movies flash across the bar’s TVs as reminders of mankind’s looming demise.Three Dots and a Dash | Chicago, ILHidden Tiki ParadiseThe entrance to Three Dots and a Dash is a trip in itself. Behind a secretive, back-alley door, a hallway of glowing skulls transforms a cold Chicago winter into a dimly lit tiki paradise. As dry-ice vapor spills out of treasure chests that hold $400 cocktails, servers in Hawaiian shirts and floral dresses dole out drinks in hollowed-out coconuts and seashells.Kalamazoo Beer Exchange | Kalamazoo, MIFluctuating Beer PricesAt Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, Black Tuesday would’ve been the start of a Great Celebration. Just like the actual stock market, the prices on KBE’s 28 draft beers are based on real-time sales, leading to constant fluctuation and, yes, even crashes, when the price of a beer might drop drastically. A large screen displays all the current numbers, letting savvy investors grab their favorite brew at a discount before it spikes again.The Wreck Bar | Fort Lauderdale, FLUnderwater Mermaid ShowsDecorated to resemble a shipwrecked Spanish galleon—complete with hemp ropes and polished driftwood—The Wreck Bar is a nautical treasure burrowed within the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel. Inside, portholes peer beneath the surface of the hotel’s pools, where mermaids and aquatic performers mesmerize onlookers with underwater dance moves during 30-minute shows.Thomas Foolery | Washington, DCCandy, Bottled Beers, and Board GamesThe 40-plus bottled beers qualify Thomas Foolery as a bar, but the selection of games, as well as the opportunity to turn any beer or soda into an ice-cream float, make it feel more like a giant playroom. Adding to the silliness: a daily angry hour, during which visitors can get $1 off any drink by ordering in their best angry voice, and a set of “rules” that offers discounts in exchange for goofy stunts.HandleBar | Austin, TXFacial Hair of the DogHandleBar opens its doors for people with all types of facial hair—and for those who can’t grow any, there’s a photo booth ready and waiting to alter pictures with choice 'staches. Bartenders, meanwhile, pass out drinks named after mustachioed celebs, and the outdoor patio lets visitors feel like smooth-faced kids again with a giant Jenga tower and a working seesaw.Photos: Jennifer Morrow via Flickr; Jessica Jeanne via Flickr; Gotham City Lounge via Facebook; Donny Dirk’s Zombie Den; Three Dots and a Dash via Facebook; Kalamazoo Beer Exchange via Facebook; B Ocean Hotel; Thomas Foolery; HandleBar | CC BY 2.0

All hail the negroni, king of the equal-parts cocktail. But what is a negroni at its core? Who could have come up with something so … perfect? Refreshing but spirit-forward, bright but stirred. Dry, bracing, and refined, the negroni was invented roughly around 1920 in Florence, Italy, by a man bearing the name of—you guessed it—Negroni.
Camillo Negroni was a count, born into a wealthy family to an Italian father and an English mother. He was also a world traveler and, at various times, apparently a cowboy, a fencer, and a gambler. Also, he was a consummate drinker.
This Count Negroni happened to stop at a bar every day—he was a regular. That bar was the Grand Hotel in Florence, but he was known to often visit his friend, a bartender at the now-shuttered Caffè Casoni, before heading to the Grand Hotel. It was likely there his namesake drink was created. The Inception of the Beloved Negroni
Some context: at the time, Europe was flush with Americans left over from World War I or just being super-cool expats. These Americans became the inspiration for the drink nicknamed the americano—made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda—since Americans liked this blend of Italian apéritifs with a little splash of soda to make it more refreshing. This is all just to say that at some point, Count Negroni decided he would have none of that. He needed something stronger.
As the story goes, Negroni asked his friend at Caffè Casoni to make him something with a little more oomph. The oomph, on this particular day, was gin. Soon, everyone in town wanted their Americano “the Negroni way,” and here we are. History!
But What Is a Negroni and Why Is It So Great? Many a bartender will quickly and unhesitatingly identify the negroni as their favorite cocktail. But why? Is it because it’s easy to make? Easy to remember the measurements (one to one to one)? Made with ingredients that are relatively easy to come by? Or is it something more complicated?Sometimes, ordering a negroni is just a big relief for everyone. The bartender is relieved (or should be—this cocktail order functions as a good litmus test for whether your bartender has a clue) because the order is a simple and respectable one. You’re relieved because you know exactly what you’re getting, and you’re about to be drinking something so perfectly balanced—sweet, a little herbaceous, bitter, and refreshing. What could possibly be better than a negroni when you’re not sure what exactly you’re in the mood for?The answer is nothing. Order that negroni.
You should be able to order a negroni basically anywhere, but below are a few standouts:
Where to Order a NegroniScofflaw, Chicago, ILIf you love—or even like or even dislike—gin, you’re in safe hands at Scofflaw. The guys behind the stick at this gin-focused cocktail bar are very knowledgeable about the clear spirit, which is available in a surprising number of varieties. They will respect your negroni order but, given the freedom, might play with it. You could even try a white negroni. But don’t go too nuts. We’re dealing in classics here. Wisdom, Washington, DCWisdom claims to possess the largest gin selection of any bar in the DC-MD-VA area. All the more gins to negroni with. The flavor profile of a gin can hugely affect the final flavor of a negroni—summon one of the bartenders, and they’ll almost certainly regale you with the many intricacies of gin.The Broken Shaker, Miami Beach, FLA James Beard Award semifinalist, The Broken Shaker will, well, break everything you thought you knew about cocktail bars. Don’t be fooled by a lack of lines or pretension. The bartenders here are confident not only in their own knowledge but also in the super-fresh ingredients they stock behind the bar and the quality of their booze selection. Sit on the patio. Drink your negroni. You’re welcome. The Probability of Acquired Tastes
One last thing about the negroni. Most everyone will agree it’s an acquired taste. Kind of like what dads tell kids about beer, but it’s completely true. The bitterness and complex series of checks and balances that take place inside this seemingly simple cocktail can be difficult to, ahem, swallow.Newbies, have no fear! Variations on this simple classic do, of course, exist. Top it with prosecco in place of the gin, or use Aperol (Campari’s gentler, lower-ABV cousin) to soften the edges of the cocktail’s bitterness. You can also play with the measurements of the three components, adding a little more vermouth to make it sweeter or more gin to make it, well, boozier. Negroni Recipe1 part gin (such as Letherbee*)1 part Campari1 part sweet vermouth (such as Carpano Antica or Punt e Mes)Build ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir briskly for about 10 seconds, and strain either over ice in a rocks glass or into a coupe (if serving up). Garnish with an orange peel, expressed over the top and rubbed along the rim of the glass. * The guys behind Chicago’s Letherbee Distillers are doing great things, like making beautiful, ultra-aromatic gin in small batches that people like me can actually afford.Photo by Andrew Nawrocki, GrouponGet the knowledge needed to be a cocktail expert:Stop Shaking Your Martinis
When you order a martini, don’t listen to James Bond. He got it all wrong.The Truth About Daiquiris
A real daiquiri only has three ingredients, exactly zero of which are a strawberry.The Manhattan Is the Classic of Classic CocktailsThough it’s been relatively unpopular for nearly a century, the manhattan has held its own thanks to classy, old-school drinkers.Everything You Need to Know About Old-FashionedsBourbon or rye? Sugar cube or simple syrup? And what do bitters even do?